Barking and Dagenham

Barking and Dagenham's population expanded in the decade to 2011. Data from the census show there were changes in ethnicity, family life and relationships.

The population reached nearly 190,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Barking and Dagenham increased by 13%, from just under 164,000 to 186,000.

The addition of just under 22,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Barking and Dagenham was home to, on average, 37 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across London

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

A younger Barking and Dagenham

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Barking and Dagenham decreased by two years, from 34 to 32 years.

This urban area had a lower average age than London and remained younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of about 8,000 children under the age of nine years, while the population over the age of 80 years decreased by almost 2,000.

About 18% of people in Barking and Dagenham are aged under nine years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Barking and Dagenham by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Barking and Dagenham

The number of people in Barking and Dagenham from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 140,000 in 2001 to about 110,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 85% to 58% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across London (from 71% to 60%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Barking and Dagenham from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just over 11,000 in 2001 to about 37,000 in 2011 (from 7.0% to 20%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 9,100 to just under 30,000 (from 5.5% to 16%).

About 7,900 people (1.9%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just under 3,100 in 2001 (4.2%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Barking and Dagenham decreased by 27 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Barking and Dagenham by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes with children

This area saw England's largest rise in the proportion of households with children.

During this period, Barking and Dagenham overtook 10 local authority areas, including Bradford and Knowsley, to become the English local authority area with the highest percentage of households with children.

In 2011, just over 4 in 10 (42%) households in Barking and Dagenham had at least one dependent child, compared with 34% in 2001. The percentage with no children decreased from 55% to 48%.

Redbridge saw the next largest rise (from 33% to 39%).

The proportion of households with children was higher than across London

Percentage of households that with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

More single parents

This area saw England's third-largest rise in the proportion of single-parent households.

During this period, Barking and Dagenham overtook Knowsley, Newham and Liverpool to become the English local authority area with the highest percentage of single-parent households.

In 2011, just under one in five (19%) households in Barking and Dagenham had a single parent, compared with 15% in 2001. The percentage with a married couple decreased from 32% to 29%.

The largest increase occurred in Enfield (from 11% to 17%) followed by Slough (from 8.7% to 13%).

The percentage of households with a single-parent in Barking and Dagenham increased by 3.9 percentage points

Percentage of households in Barking and Dagenham, London and England that had a single parent, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Barking and Dagenham residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 11% to 6.1% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 65% in 2001. The percentage of Barking and Dagenham residents that described their health as fair decreased from 24% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad decreased faster here than in any other local authority district across London, while the percentage of residents that perceived their health as good or very good grew faster than anywhere else in the region

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Barking and Dagenham decreased by 4.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Barking and Dagenham, London and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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